Abstract: A polymeric composition and process for making the same suitable for injection molding processes and procedures containing an olefinic polymer component selected from at least one a group which includes polyalkylenes, copolymers of polyalkylenes and a non-olefinic thermoplastic. The non-olefinic and olefinic polymeric components are present in random orientable locations in the initial polymeric composition. When injection molded against a temperature gradient, the resulting workpiece composed of the composition has distinctive regions of elevated non-olefinic concentration proximate the outwardly oriented surface and distinctive regions of elevated olefinic polymeric concentration proximate to interior regions of the workpiece. The non-olefinic thermoplastic may be at least one of thermoplastic polyamides, thermoplastic polyolefins and thermoplastic polycarbonates.

Abstract: A polymeric composition and process for making the same suitable for injection molding processes and procedures containing an olefinic polymer component selected from at least one a group which includes polyalkylenes, copolymers of polyalkylenes and a thermoplastic polyamide. The polyamide and olefinic polymeric components are present in random orientable locations in the initial polymeric composition. When injection molded against a temperature gradient, the resulting workpiece composed of the composition has distinctive regions of elevated polyamide concentration proximate the outwardly oriented surface and distinctive regions of elevated olefinic polymeric concentration proximate to interior regions of the workpiece.

Abstract: A medical apparatus to increase vascular blood flow in the lower extremities of the patient is presented. The medical apparatus is designed to increase vascular blood flow by applying a compressive force to specific regions of the foot, ankle, and/or calf. To achieve this end, the present invention has a foot compression portion and a calf compression portion. The two portions are connected by a severable connection. The severable connection allows the foot portion and calf portion to be used together, or allows the calf portion to be used alone. The foot compression portion is adapted to exert an upward compressive force to the sole of the foot from in front of the heel and extending past the ball of the foot under the phalanges, a downward compressive force in front of the tarsal region of the foot, a downward compressive force in the upper tarsal region of the foot, and a compressive force around the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: This method of managing the operation of a plant for the production of aluminium by igneous electrolysis, of the type having a set (2, 3) of two electrolysis tankrooms, each having a series of tanks, the tankrooms being mutually parallel and symmetrical with respect to a central passageway (4) in which the handling of the liquid-aluminium tapping ladle is carried out, consists in carrying out the various handling operations at each of the tanks, necessary for the operation of the plant, in a closed loop, the members (13, 13′, 13″, 13′″, 14, 14′, 14″, 14′″) needed for the operation being moved over all the tanks of the two tankrooms of continuous cycles. The invention also relates to the plant for implementing this method.

Abstract: A medical apparatus to increase vascular blood flow in the lower extremities of the patient is presented. The medical apparatus is designed to increase vascular blood flow by applying a compressive force to specific regions of the foot, ankle, and/or calf. To achieve this end, the present invention has a foot compression portion and a calf compression portion. The two portions are connected by a severable connection. The severable connection allows the foot portion and calf portion to be used together, or allows the calf portion to be used alone. The foot compression portion is adapted to exert an upward compressive force to the sole of the foot from in front of the heel and extending past the ball of the foot under the phalanges, a downward compressive force in front of the tarsal region of the foot, a downward compressive force in the upper tarsal region of the foot, and a compressive force around the Achilles tendon.

Abstract: A method of producing an extruded plastics foam of enhanced physical strength includes intimately mixing a blowing agent incorporation CO.sub.2, the major portion of which is a natural gas, in a plastics resin melt to form a homogenous resin mix, and extruding the resin mix through an exit die into a region of lower pressure. At the point of extrusion out of the exit die, the temperature of the resin mix is adjusted so that it is below the critical temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for ensuring proper engagement between connectors in external pneumatic compression devices. Two or more compression bladders are connected via tubing to a controller by a mated connector unit. Each mated connector includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion includes a shut-off valve per individually addressed bladder. The downstream portion includes structure which defeats or opens the shut-off valve in the upstream connector and allows for fluid flow. Internally and externally, the mated connectors are configured for reciprocal engagement. Even if visual orientation of the connectors fails, the reciprocal structure of the connectors prevents incorrect engagement therebetween.